The event is only the second Triathlon England – National Duathlon Championships after last year’s inaugural event at Ashbourne Duathlon, which was won by Julian Lings and Parys Edwards in the male and female overall races respectively. 

 

The Cambridge Duathlon is a well-established race at Bottisham in Cambridgeshire with a relatively flat opening 7.5km run followed by a 40km bike through rural Cambridgeshire. The bike can be subject to some tough winds, meaning the final 7.5km run can be a real test of an athlete’s endurance.

 

The event is also the second opportunity for standard distance duathletes to qualify for the Great Britain Age-Group Team at the 2013 Ottawa ITU Duathlon World Championships ensuring a strong field is present, including Olympic gold medallist, James Cracknell. The third and final qualifier is the Clumber Park Classic Duathlon, which was rearranged to the 11 May 2013.

 

For duathletes intending to qualify at the Cambridge Duathlon, you must register your intent to qualify on the British Triathlon website by 5pm Friday 12 April 2013.

 

Duncan Hough, Triathlon England Director for Events, Rules and Technical was delighted to be getting the season underway commenting: “It’s really exciting to be able to get the Triathlon England – National Championships started for the season. We have an enhanced calendar of seven Championships this year and the Cambridge Duathlon will provide a challenging yet rewarding test for all our members who are competing for National titles.”

 

Don Hutchinson of Cambridge Triathlon Club added: “Here at Cambridge Triathlon Club we are delighted to be able to host a Triathlon England – National Championships. The event this weekend will provide a friendly atmosphere that ensures all the Triathlon England members competing for National titles will have a great race experience here in Cambridge.”

 

Malcolm Westwood, British Triathlon Director for Age-Group, added: “The Cambridge Duathlon is always well organised and will see age-group duathletes competing on a fast course as they aim to book their place in the Great Britain Age-Group Team for Canada. Cambridge is the second opportunity to qualify for the standard distance team and will ensure that the event has a high calibre of duathlete whilst maintaining a fun and friendly race environment for Triathlon England competitors. I’m delighted to see this qualification event combined with the National Championships.”

 

The event is being organised by Cambridge Triathlon Club, with more information available on www.cambridgetriathlonclub.com